Vibrant Communities Calgary is in favour of secondary suites across Calgary and we have been very vocal in our support. The result of this vocal endorsement of an important policy decision has prompted many people to get in touch with VCC about secondary suites in their neighbourhoods.

The majority of citizens who have contacted VCC have been in support of suites; this is no surprise as every survey conducted indicates that an overwhelming number of Calgarians are in favour. We also heard from people who are firmly opposed to legalizing secondary suites in their neighbourhoods; it was great to hear from people who are opposed as the entrenchment on this issue had us baffled. The staunch attitudes were particularly difficult to comprehend after attending the public hearing at committee where not only support for suites was overwhelming but so was the evidence in favour of secondary suites.

Publicly, we have all heard the arguments against secondary suites – parking, property value, higher density stressing infrastructure – and systematically these concerns have been disproven with evidence. Out of the public eye, the concerns take on a different approach and one that compels me to shed some light on the root of the opposition.

Behind closed doors, we hear opponents to secondary suites tell us that they have worked hard to be able to afford a home in their R1 zoned neighbourhoods and that they do not want to have to put up with the perceived problems that secondary suite renters bring with them. It can be true that people who rent do so because they cannot afford to purchase a home and it is also true that some renters may be living in low-income. One is not hard-pressed to reach the conclusion that the root of the secondary suites issue lies here - people opposed to secondary suites are telling us that they should not need to live near people that have been less fortunate and are potentially living in poverty.

This kind of thinking is a dangerous path to follow for a city. Would we tell any other group of people in this city that they are not welcome in certain areas? Sorry… you may not live in that neighbourhood, your kind is not welcome.

If this is indeed the case, that people do not want secondary suites made legal in their neighbourhoods because they do not want to allow people living in poverty in their neighbourhoods, then we have some very tough questions to ask ourselves: is Calgary the sort of city that responds to rhetoric and unsubstantiated fear or is it a city that relies on facts and evidence to make decisions?

I believe in Calgarians. We will not buy into antiquated and elitist thinking – Calgary is a city that embraces diversity and inclusivity and I retain the hope that we will collectively stand against attitudes and decisions that push us in any other direction.

Saying no to secondary suites won’t address the root cause of the problem. I leave you with this thought, if you don’t want people living in poverty in your neighbourhood I say great - lets work together to end poverty.

Vibrant Communities Calgary is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with various stakeholders and partners, seeking to engage Calgarians and to advocate for long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary.  For more information on this initiative or Vibrant Communities Calgary, visit www.vibrantcalgary.com.